Dozens of Los Angeles-area Jews, Palestinians and other allies erected a mock checkpoint at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual Valley Fundraiser in protest of AIPAC’s attempt to steer US policy makers to ignore recent war crimes in Gaza and the occupation of Palestinian land. Cars were confronted by people dressed as Occupation soldiers and those attending the event were “allowed to pass through” after receiving a new program for the event that exposes AIPAC support for the Occupation. A boisterous crowd also chanted “Angelenos choose a side, human rights or Apartheid!” at AIPAC donors as they approached the hotel entrance.
AIPAC is self-described as “America’s leading pro-Israel lobby,” and as such has supported the land theft and settlement expansion while whitewashing the apartheid system that exists across historic Palestine. AIPAC also supported the recent destruction of Gaza, which has killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and wounded more than 5,000.
AIPAC wants Obama to agree to almost $3 billion in new military aid to Israel. US law forbids assistance to governments that engage in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.
Mostly recently, AIPAC, praised the Obama Administration’s decision to boycott the World Conference Against Racism in Geneva next month, unless its final document drops all references to Israel and reparations for slavery. In 2001, Bush administration diplomats walked out of the conference in Durban, South Africa after delegates proposed a resolution likening Zionism to racism.
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